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The Kansas State Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The matchup is at 5:45 PM ET on December 28, 2023, and airs on ESPN.
The Wolfpack are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+2.5), versus the Wildcats (with an over/under of 47.5 points).
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Game Info for Kansas State vs. NC State
- Game Day: Thursday, December 28, 2023
- Game Time: 5:45 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Stadium: Camping World Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | -2.5 | -110 | -110 | 47.5 | -109 | -111 | -139 | +117 |
Kansas State Pick Insights
- Kansas State’s ATS record is 8-4-0 this season.
- In games it has played as at least 2.5-point favorites this season, Kansas State is 6-4 against the spread.
- The teams have hit the over in seven of Kansas State’s 12 games with a set total.
Kansas State Stats & Insights
- On offense, Kansas State has been a top-25 unit, ranking 22nd-best in the FBS by totaling 446.3 yards per game. The defense ranks 58th (370.3 yards allowed per game).
- Kansas State sports the 30th-ranked defense this season (21.2 points allowed per game), and has been more effective offensively, ranking 10th-best with 37.8 points per game.
- Kansas State is compiling 246.4 passing yards per game on offense (51st in the FBS), and ranks 75th on the other side of the ball with 230.2 passing yards allowed per game.
- Kansas State sports the 47th-ranked defense this year in terms of rushing yards (140.2 rushing yards allowed per game), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 13th-best with 199.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kansas State has been surging on both sides of the ball in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking eighth-best in third-down percentage (49.1%) and eighth-best in third-down percentage allowed (28.7%).
- Kansas State owns the fifth-best turnover margin in college football at +11, forcing 22 turnovers (20th in the FBS) while turning it over 11 times (12th in the FBS).
Kansas State’s Best Players
- Will Howard has thrown for 2,643 yards (220.3 ypg) to lead Kansas State, completing 61.2% of his passes and collecting 24 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions this season. He’s also contributed in the ground game with 354 rushing yards on 81 carries with nine rushing touchdowns.
- DJ Giddens has carried the ball 195 times for a team-high 1,075 yards on the ground and has found the end zone nine times. He’s also tacked on 28 catches for 286 yards (23.8 per game) and two touchdowns in the pass game.
- Treshaun Ward has been handed the ball 125 times this year and racked up 651 yards (54.3 per game) with five touchdowns.
- Ben Sinnott’s 676 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 75 times and has collected 49 receptions and six touchdowns.
- Phillip Brooks has caught 53 passes for 589 yards (49.1 yards per game) and five touchdowns this year.
- Jayce Brown has been the target of 40 passes and hauled in 22 receptions for 385 yards, an average of 32.1 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone two times through the air this season.
- Khalid Duke has collected six sacks to lead the team, while also picking up seven TFL and 17 tackles.
- Austin Moore is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s picked up 57 tackles, nine TFL, and 1.5 sacks.
- Kobe Savage has picked off a team-high three passes. He also has 53 tackles, three TFL, and three passes defended to his name.
NC State Betting Insights
- NC State is 6-4-1 ATS this year.
- When it has played as at least 2.5-point underdogs this year, NC State is 4-2-1 against the spread.
- The teams have hit the over in four of NC State’s 11 games with a set total.
NC State Pick Insights
- NC State ranks 98th in the FBS with 346.3 total yards per contest, but it has been lifted up by its defense, which ranks 25th-best by giving up just 323.5 total yards per contest.
- NC State ranks 69th in the FBS with 26.8 points per game, but it has been led by its defense, which ranks 25th-best by giving up just 20.2 points per contest.
- NC State is accumulating 196.3 passing yards per game on offense this season (100th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 218.8 passing yards per contest (57th-ranked) on defense.
- NC State has been thriving on run defense, surrendering only 104.8 rushing yards per contest (17th-best). Offensively, it ranks 78th in the FBS by compiling 150.1 rushing yards per game.
- NC State’s third-down defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks fifth-best in the FBS with a 27.7% third-down conversion rate allowed. In terms of offense, it is generating a 39.3% third-down rate, which ranks 65th.
- NC State owns a top-25 turnover margin this season, ranking eighth-best at +10.
NC State’s Best Players
- Brennan Armstrong has been a dual threat for NC State this season. He has 1,619 passing yards (134.9 per game) while completing 62.4% of his passes. He’s thrown 11 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. On the ground, he’s compiled 544 yards (45.3 ypg) on 126 carries with six rushing touchdowns.
- Kevin Concepcion has 767 receiving yards (63.9 yards per game) on 64 catches and 10 touchdowns while racking up 297 rushing yards on 38 attempts.
- Keyon Lesane has 28 receptions (on 46 targets) for a total of 247 yards (20.6 yards per game) this year.
- Bradley Rozner’s 18 grabs (on 27 targets) have netted him 208 yards (17.3 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Davin Vann has collected 6.5 sacks to pace the team, while also recording five TFL and 37 tackles.
- Payton Wilson has 133 tackles, 14 TFL, six sacks, and three interceptions, and leads the team in both tackles and interceptions.
